rub along

rub

to apply pressure and friction to (something) with a circular or backward and forward motion

2.

to move (something) with pressure along, over, or against (a surface)

3.

to chafe or fray

4.

(transitive) to bring into a certain condition by rubbing: rub it clean

5.

(transitive) to spread with pressure, esp in order to cause to be absorbed: he rubbed ointment into his back

6.

(transitive) to mix (fat) into flour with the fingertips, as in making pastry

7.

foll by off, out, away, etc. to remove or be removed by rubbing

8.

(bowls) (of a bowl) to be slowed or deflected by an uneven patch on the green

9.

(transitive) often foll by together. to move against each other with pressure and friction (esp in the phrases rub one's hands, often a sign of glee, anticipation, or satisfaction, and rub noses, a greeting among Inuit people)

10.

(informal) rub someone's nose in it, to remind someone unkindly of his failing or error

To rub (someone) the wrong way is from 1853; probably the notion is of cats' fur. To rub noses in greeting as a sign of friendship (attested from 1822) formerly was common among Eskimos, Maoris, and some other Pacific Islanders. Rub out "obliterate" is from 1560s; underworld slang sense of "kill" is recorded from 1848, American English. Rub off "remove by rubbing" is from 1590s; meaning "have an influence" is recorded from 1959.

n.

"act of rubbing," 1610s, from rub (v.); earlier "obstacle, inequality on ground" (1580s, common in 17c.) which is the figure in Hamlet's there's the rub (1602).